Co-sleeping: Arm's Reach sleeper vs. pack n play

[michellina]

Good morning:)

I would like opinions, not specifically about co-sleeping, but on which equipment is better.  

With DS, we co-slept until he was about 8 months. We would like to do the same with this next one, however it just won't work with our son, who comes into our bed frequently in early morning and sleeps with us. We have a king size bed, but it just won't be safe. 

Which is easier/more convenient/all that good stuff... a co-sleeper attached to the bed, or a pack n play? I just need help deciding on one. Anyone have experience with both?

Thanks so much!

[jordanelizabeth]

I'm doing a portable bassinet that sits pretty even right next to my bad rather than the pack and play. My friend just did the pack and play but it buying an attachable for her next wee one

Eta/ she thought the pack and play ended up just being too much of a pain in the ass because of its size.

[vtcnicely]

We did a rock n play for the first 6 weeks when we kept DS in our room. It's not a permanent solution though because they really learn to like being propped up instead of laying flat. However I don't love the flimsy newborn part of the pack n' play and that would get you up to the point of when they're big enough for the bottom of it.

[lawndog1216]

Last time we lived in a one-bedroom apt and so her crib was an arm's length away from me. We've since moved, and I had plans to put New One in the pack and play in our room for the first three months. However, I have no clue where the newborn pieces are for the pack and play, and I'm wondering if it's even safe to just plop them in the pnp from the start? I gave away the rock n play and the bouncer and everything else we had... no idea.

[bcmomsaysso]

Following along, trying to decide the same. The pack and play will be necessary anyway, but they are so big. Would leave very little walking room around the bed.

I keep seeing bassinets pop up on our local yard sale sites. I might just end up grabbing one. I like the Eddie Bauer ones...

[michellina]

It's a difficult decision! There are quite a few options. Good point about the PNP being big. I totally forgot we did use one of the rock n play things for awhile, it was actually really convenient. We used it in the bed room and living room, easy to move, but yea the propped up sleeping thing. Hm... ETA plus he grew out of the rock n play quickly.. 

[noname]

I think if you're looking for a more similar set up to co-sleeping in the same bed, then the Arm's Reach would be better. We used the PnP, but my sister used the Arm's Reach with my niece. What's nice about it is that the baby has it's own little area, but you can still have your arm laying in it as well. I'm considering getting one this time around because there were many times that I would have to sit up and reach into the PnP to put my hand on DD's tummy to soothe her. Would have been nice to not have the barrier to reach over.

[econmarie]

We had the pack and play with the bassinet on top. This was great because there was also a diaper changing station, and the bassinet vibrated which she really liked. We used that for 3 months, and I would have used it longer, but she woke very easily. We moved her to her crib, and she slept much better there. 

[daffodil428]

Anybody have an opinion on the new halo bassinet?

m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/halo-trade-bassinest-trade-essentia-series-swivel-sleeper-in-honeycomb/1043205295

[nbalkin]

I have two different bassinets. One smaller one and one bigger. Dd stayed in the bassinet til she was able to sit up independently.

[Deleted]

We used the arm's reach co-sleeper with DS and LOVED it; we will def use it again with this next LO. Our pack n play is too big for me to have it next to the bed comfortably, even with a large master room, and for me (I am a total worry wart) I preferred having an actual bassinet that was safety-rated and specifically made for that purpose.

[thesportsgal]

We used the pack n play with the sleeper and changing thing on top. I think it worked very well, I loved having the changing thing right there, and then I'd swaddle her on our bed and put her back in the sleeper then the bottom part when she got bigger. We moved her to her room around 4 months with no issues.

[caitie713]

This has been on my mind lately. Following.

[linnea21]

My sister is about to have her LO and she purchased the Halo cosleeper. If she's done with it by the time this LO comes I will buy it from her. Otherwise we may be getting a mini crib and using it in our room. I would like rig something like this up:

[Deleted]

We did the pack and play with our first. She slept there for about 6 months. Well I should rephrase and say when she wasn't up all night crying she slept there, during the crying fits, we put her in a swing, which put her to sleep. If we stopped the swing should would start crying. So we took turns with the swing and pack and play. Both were about a foot away from my side of the bed. We will probably do the pack and play again this time around.

[kristabelieve]

We used the rock-n-play for 5 months then moved him into a larger bassinet when he got too big for the RNP. We transitioned to his crib in his room around 7 months.

[keen]

I'm just popping in from S15. Just wanted to share my experience since I used a Rock n Play and a cosleeper that attached to the bed.

For breastfeeding, hands down the co-sleeper. With DD I literally reached over, slid her next to me and let her nurse on demand, then slid her back when she was done. I barely woke up and got (some of) the rest I needed. DH got the rest HE needed so that we weren't BOTH zombies. I am one of the those people that has a hard time getting back to sleep once I'm up and moving, so this was SO great!

DD had her cranky moments, but I was rested from not having to get up and walk across the hall several times a night. The cosleeper we used was a loaner, so I've bought one of our own (ArmsReach mini) for the next kid.

The Rock n Play was nice when DD had reflux and needed to be at an incline, but that was about it.

[lisamarie]

We used a PNP with my first and I didn't like it. I got a bassinet with my second and third. We will likely use a bassinet again or an Arm's Reach co sleeper this time around. We keep our little ones in our room until about 6 months so the bassinet has worked out great. 

[bcmomsaysso]

Jan 27, 2015 13:21:57 GMT -5 linnea21 said:

My sister is about to have her LO and she purchased the Halo cosleeper. If she's done with it by the time this LO comes I will buy it from her. Otherwise we may be getting a mini crib and using it in our room. I would like rig something like this up:

The only thing that make me nervous about this, or co-sleepers... is it possible for them to move or detach in the night? I really like the access, but my over-active imagination gets to me. I just feel safer with having 360 barriers around my LO, but then again I've never examined a co-sleeper up close to see how sturdy they actually are.

[linnea21]

Jan 27, 2015 14:40:59 GMT -5 bcmomsaysso said:

Jan 27, 2015 13:21:57 GMT -5 linnea21 said:

My sister is about to have her LO and she purchased the Halo cosleeper. If she's done with it by the time this LO comes I will buy it from her. Otherwise we may be getting a mini crib and using it in our room. I would like rig something like this up:

The only thing that make me nervous about this, or co-sleepers... is it possible for them to move or detach in the night? I really like the access, but my over-active imagination gets to me. I just feel safer with having 360 barriers around my LO, but then again I've never examined a co-sleeper up close to see how sturdy they actually are.

This is modified and attached to the frame of the bed so it won't move

[keen]

bcmomsaysso, The arms reach has straps that go under the mattress and anchor on the other side.

[bcmomsaysso]

linnea I figured it probably was. Just not sure I would trust my own version if I were to attempt it

To those who have used the arms reach co-sleepers: How are they, security-wise?

Edit. Too slow

[oopsiedaisies]

I plan on getting one of the Halo Cosleepers that goes in the bed this time or a smaller bassinet style deal. The pnp was way too cumbersome last time...I had to have it right next to the bed for peace of mind, and getting out of bed around it was a pain.

[linnea21]

Jan 27, 2015 14:48:54 GMT -5 bcmomsaysso said:

linnea I figured it probably was. Just not sure I would trust my own version if I were to attempt it

To those who have used the arms reach co-sleepers: How are they, security-wise?

Edit. Too slow

I used the rock n play with DD but ended up bed sharing a lot because I would fall asleep. Every thing was fine, we have a king bed and plenty of room, but I still would have felt better having another side. KWIM?

[daffodil428]

Jan 27, 2015 13:21:57 GMT -5 linnea21 said:

My sister is about to have her LO and she purchased the Halo cosleeper. If she's done with it by the time this LO comes I will buy it from her. Otherwise we may be getting a mini crib and using it in our room. I would like rig something like this up:

Please let me know what she thinks of this.

[linnea21]

Jan 27, 2015 15:18:10 GMT -5 daffodil428 said:

Jan 27, 2015 13:21:57 GMT -5 linnea21 said:

My sister is about to have her LO and she purchased the Halo cosleeper. If she's done with it by the time this LO comes I will buy it from her. Otherwise we may be getting a mini crib and using it in our room. I would like rig something like this up:

Please let me know what she thinks of this.

I will! She's due at the end of February.

[shellyr]

Whoa. Now I want the Halo co-sleeper!
It comes with a bit of a sticker shock, though.

[caitie713]

keen Just curious, which Arm's Reach co-sleeper did you buy?

[ajetter]

We used the arms reach with DD for about 4 months before we moved her to her room and I was happy with it. Our room is small so a packn play wouldn't have fit.

DD2 was an awful sleeper the first few nights, so we tried the RnP. She slept WAY better in that. Transitioning her out of it was hell, but it was great while it worked. I liked being able to just rock the thing while laying down if she was stirring.

[ajetter]

Jan 27, 2015 11:28:19 GMT -5 daffodil428 said:

Anybody have an opinion on the new halo bassinet?

m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/halo-trade-bassinest-trade-essentia-series-swivel-sleeper-in-honeycomb/1043205295

Well shoot. That thing looks pretty sweet. I just wonder how fast they would outgrow it (I didn't read all the info). But it does look sweet!!